My local dealer shows the 48 months or 96,000km service which includes a whole pile of things plus the timing chain "starting at $665.60", don't know what just the timing belt is on its own.
The timing belt doesn't apply to the 4 cylinder model.

Most timing belts I have seen cost between $350 and $550, I don't know what the Kia's is specifically. It is definitely something you don't want to put off past the factory recommended interval, because if it breaks it can do engine damage.

I bought a new Carens 2004. I am about to have my 36 months service and the service manual include "timing belt replacement" at 36 months or 60,000km. My car mileage is just around 23,000 km, does this really need to have the timing belt change at this low mileage?? Usage of the car is just Home-Office-Home on paved roads which is just 15 km one way. Thanks in advance fo your opinion(s) and/or advise...

I bought a new Carens 2004. I am about to have my 36 months service and the service manual include "timing belt replacement" at 36 months or 60,000km.

That sounds way too early. Is that number what the dealer is telling you or what your owners manual says? Open your owners manual and find the service tables and see when it suggests changing your timing belt. It might have an inspect at xxx mileage and replace at yyy mileage. I believe the new Rondo V6 suggests every 60k miles for replacement, and maybe 48 months.

It is common practice by dealers to push to have the timing belts changed way too early as they must be a pretty high profit item. I know on my Honda they billed for around 6 hours of labor (flat rate) and it was done in 3 or 4.

JOGI1 - (could you fill out your profile with your location and details on your vehicle - obviously you are not from North America) I would agree with viking79, according to the owners manual for the Canadian market the replacement for the 2.7L engine timing belt is 48 months or 96,000km whichever comes first.

Thanks a lot guys, with your advise/opinions, now I'm quite relieved. I am from Malaysia, Kia Carens Model 2004, Gasoline, 1.8L, Auto. Actually, my owners manual table for "Normal Maintenance Schedule" showed 72 months, 60000 miles or 90000 kms. For "Maintenance Under Severe Usage Conditions", the table showed, every 60000 kms (40000 miles) or 48 months. I guess my present condition does not qualify from any of the above. As such, I just have to wait for another year to qualify for "48 months" for the replacement and just have to ignore the promotional pitch of a certain service dealer/technician at this moment. Bravo to "conwelpic", "viking79" & "digik9".

just to make a comparison cost for the timing belt - I was at the local GMC dealer this morning and they had a sheet posted at the service desk which stated:Opta, Aveo and Wave timing belt at 95,000km - $595 + tax.
There was no mention of additional items included with this service, so what I stated in my first reply for what the local KIA dealer charges, seems quite reasonable. The KIA service includes the timing belt replacement + lube, oil and filter service + multi point inspection + tire rotation with brake maintenance service + fuel system service + automatic transmission service + engine performance service + cooling system flush service + spark plug replacement.